In-Home Primary Care
For some people over 65, it can be challenging to get to the doctor’s office for proper care. But missing out on medical appointments can increase your risk of going to the emergency room or being hospitalized. Johns Hopkins Medicine provides in-home primary care for people age 65 or older who have difficulty leaving home because of medical conditions or physical limitations.
Our experienced geriatricians, nurse practitioners and other health professionals provide compassionate care in the comfort of your home. We offer in-home primary care throughout Howard County and parts of Baltimore City and Baltimore County. To get started, call us at 410-550-0931, or apply for the program with our online application.
Who might benefit from in-home primary care?
With in-home primary care, also called home-based primary care, we bring health care to you. Our goal is to provide regular doctor or nurse practitioner visits ranging from once a month to every three months. We are also available to handle urgent medical needs as they come up.
Our home-based primary care services may be appropriate if you:
- Cannot get to your primary care provider without large effort, either by you or a loved one
- Need someone to come with you to your appointments or need special transportation
- Use oxygen or assistive devices such as a cane or walker
- Have difficulty walking or shortness of breath with exertion
- Have had multiple hospitalizations or emergency room visits over the past few years
- Have difficulty with activities of daily living, such as bathing or moving around your home
- Require multiple days to recover from trips outside the home
- Have cognitive or behavioral impairment
We treat and help people manage a wide range of chronic, complex conditions, including:
- Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Diabetes
- Heart disease, including heart failure and coronary artery disease
- Movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Recovery after stroke
- Bedsores and chronic wounds
- Conditions requiring home ventilator support
Am I eligible for in-home primary care?
If you can answer “yes” to these questions, you may be eligible for our services:
- Do you live in Howard County or one of these ZIP codes in central Maryland: 21202, 21205, 21213, 21215, 21219, 21222, 21224 or 21231?
- Are you 65 or older?
- Do you have a chronic disease or physical limitation that prevents you from driving or leaving home without significant help?
- Do you or a caregiver have access to a phone for scheduling appointments?
When you contact us to register for care, we may ask additional questions to check your eligibility.
In-Home Primary Care Services We Offer
If you qualify, you can receive our in-home primary care services for as long as you need them. Our services include:
- 24/7/365 support by phone with on-call doctors
- Primary care to address your specific health needs
- Coordination for home medical equipment, including recommending, ordering and having equipment delivered to your home
- Management of chronic conditions
- Medication review
- Referrals to community resources (For Howard County residents, we work with the Community Care Team at Howard County General Hospital.)
- Palliative care and end-of-life care
- Regular visits during standard business hours
- Urgent home visits to address health needs that can’t wait for the next regular visit
- Telehealth visits by phone or video
You can also email us at [email protected]. Apply for the program today with our online application.
Why Choose Johns Hopkins Medicine for In-Home Primary Care?
We make it easy for you to get the care you need, when you need it. Highlights of our home-based primary care include:
Multidisciplinary team
You have access to a team of health care providers from several fields of medicine. We work together to develop care plans that address a wide range of physical, emotional and social health needs. We help families navigate some of the challenges of caring for their loved one with chronic medical conditions.
Urgent house calls
If you need urgent care, we send a provider to your home the same day you call us. With our urgent house calls, you receive the care you need without going to the hospital.
Palliative care services
For people adjusting to loss of independence and ability and in need for care toward the end of life, we provide compassionate health care. Caregivers feel supported and often relieved by having medical care for a loved one provided in the home.
Expertise in geriatric primary care
Our team includes geriatricians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, social workers and community health workers who have specialized training and experience in gerontology (care for older adults). We focus on primary care for people who have complex or multiple chronic conditions, and we personalize your care based on your goals and preferences.
Same provider for routine visits
Whenever possible, the same provider comes to your home for your regular visits, every four to eight weeks. We build a close relationship with you, learning your health needs and preferences so we can provide better care.
In-Home Primary Care: What to Expect
You can become our patient with a provider’s referral, or you or a loved one can call us to get started. After we receive your referral, here’s what you can expect:
- Referral and intake call: When we receive your referral, we call you to make sure you qualify for in-home care. We then schedule your first in-home visit with a provider, usually within four weeks of your referral.
- Your first visit: Our provider conducts a thorough physical exam and asks you about your medical history, symptoms and other details to fully understand your health and your home environment. We take the time to understand what’s most important to you, and get to know you as a person.
- Ongoing visits: For your ongoing care, we create a personalized care plan based on your health needs. You should expect care similar to what you would have at your primary care doctor’s office, except we’ll be coming to your home.